Fox's conservative play cost him dearly. Denver was the hottest and most complete team entering the playoffs, and the Broncos blew it. I know Fox is a defensive guy, but you can't coach that way with Manning.

The table was set for Denver to make the Super Bowl. Fox will have to live with that. Next time, he must play to win the game.

2) Peyton Manning / Mike McCoy

Manning said he was the one who called the run play on third-and-7 after the two-minute warning. Whoever called it, that can't happen. In no universe is running with Ronnie Hillman the right call -- and Hillman proved that by failing to gain a yard.

In overtime, however, McCoy seemed to be way too comfortable going to Hillman -- his third-string rookie running back! This nonsense came one year after McCoy threw the ball -- with Tim Tebow, of all people -- to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in last season's playoffs.

I think the world of Mike McCoy. I'm not at all shocked that McCoy has reached a deal to become the next head coach of the San Diego Chargers. But you have to think about putting the ball in the hands of your best players. That's the lesson, learned the hard way.

Moore was the face of failure for Denver's defense. But cornerback Champ Bailey was brutal, too. Defensive linemen Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil were non-factors. Denver's defense was better than Baltimore's during the regular season, but winners only get recognized for what they do in January.

Don't try to outthink yourself, Darrell. Do what you did to get to that point.

But it could've been worse...

6) Pete Carroll

I would've put the points on the board at fourth-and-1 near the end of the first half, instead of running it. There was plenty of game left, as proven by the majestic Russell Wilson-led comeback. I thought that call was botched by Carroll.

I also couldn't believe the Seahawks' head coach called a timeout to ice Matt Bryant's 49-yard field-goal attempt in the game's closing seconds. This is not a second guess. After Seattle finally took the lead, the Georgia Dome crowd was aghast. In the series of Falcons playoff failures, collapsing after being up by 20 would've been the worst. This was a miscalculation.

I also would've played the same defense I was playing all game on Ryan's final drive.

The lesson for Carroll is not to get too cute. The Seahawks are in great shape for the future, but football is a funny game. And Seattle is in a tough division with the Niners, a rising St. Louis Rams team and the Arizona Cardinals, who are a quarterback away from being strong.

7) Rob Gronkowski

Gronk is done for the playoffs. The Patriots tight end needs surgery on that troublesome elbow again. Shane Vereen stepped up for New England, big time, with two touchdown catches and 83 yards via the passing attack on Sunday. But this is kind of a big deal.

8) Matt Schaub

Ryan took the step. Flacco was a monster, and now has seven playoff wins to his name.

I'm a Schaub fan, but he isn't in the same class as Ryan and Flacco, let alone elite. He's on the next level down, and that's a problem when you need a quarterback to step up in the playoffs. Schaub is the "franchise" quarterback for the Texans, but can they win with him?

I think Houston needs to be active in finding Schaub another veteran receiver who can play opposite Andre Johnson.